Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the FirstCyte® Breast Test?
   The FirstCyte Breast Test is a method of collecting cells from inside your milk ducts to see if there are any cells that are abnormal. Doctors call these types of cells "atypical."
2. Why do I need to know if I have atypical cells?
   The vast majority of breast cancers begin in the cells that line the milk ducts.1,2 When normal cells become atypical, it increases a woman's chances of developing breast cancer.
3. What does it mean if I have atypical cells?
   Atypical cells are not necessarily precancerous. However, atypical cells do increase your breast cancer risk. And for a woman who is already at high risk, researchers have found that atypical cells make her risk even higher.
   
   

   •	Atypical cells, collected through various methods, increase a woman's breast cancer risk by 4-5 times compared to a woman who does not have atypical cells.3-6
   •	The increase in risk is even greater for a woman with atypical cells and a mother, sister, or daughter who has had breast cancer.4-6

   
   The FirstCyte Breast Test should only be used with standard breast cancer detection methods such as mammography, clinical exams, and breast self-exams.
4. How will knowing I have atypical cells help me?
   Atypical cells, collected through various methods, increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by 4-5 times.3-6 Knowing whether you have atypical cells in your breast can help you and your doctor make decisions about ways to reduce your risk. Risk reduction options include:
   
   

   •	Counseling and surveillance, including self-exams, mammograms, or breast MRI and regular physical examinations
   •	Genetic counseling and testing if you have multiple relatives with breast cancer
   •	Drug therapy or surgical options if you are at very high risk

   
   These options can be effective, but they also can have risks and side effects that need to be considered.
   
   Having current and personal information about your risk can help you and your physician weigh the pros and cons of whether to pursue proactive risk reduction measures.
5. How does the FirstCyte Breast Test work?
   The FirstCyte Breast Test involves gently rinsing the inside of your milk ducts to collect cells. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis to determine whether the cells are normal or atypical.
6. If the doctor finds no atypical cells, does it mean I'm at lower risk?
   No. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, normal test results do not lower your risk. You should continue to practice early detection methods such as mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams. The FirstCyte Breast Test is not a substitute for any of these methods.
7. What is the test like and how long does it take?
   Typically, the FirstCyte Breast Test takes approximately 30 minutes. First, the doctor gives you an anesthetic cream to numb your nipple and minimize discomfort. Then, the doctor carefully inserts a very tiny tube into the milk duct through its natural opening on the nipple. The duct is rinsed with fluid to collect cells for analysis.
8. Does the FirstCyte Breast Test hurt?
   Most women report that it is not painful. During a recent clinical study, women rated the level of comfort on a scale of 0-100.8 The median rating was 24.8 Some women who have had the FirstCyte Breast Test describe temporary sensations such as fullness, pinching, and tingling.
9. Is the FirstCyte Breast Test right for me?
   You may want to consider the FirstCyte Breast Test if you are already at high risk for breast cancer.
   
   This includes women who:
   
   

   •	Have had breast cancer in the past
   •	Have relatives who have had breast cancer
   •	Have a 5-year Gail Risk Model of 1.7% or greater
   •	Have a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation